Tag: Christian community

  • Dr. Helen Mary becomes first female Christian Brigadier

    Dr. Helen Mary becomes first female Christian Brigadier

    Colonel Dr Helen Mary Roberts has become the first woman from the minority Christian community of Pakistan to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier in the Pakistan Army.

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced her appointment and appreciated her achievement stating, “Colonel Dr. Helen Mary is a living example of merit without distinction in the Pakistan Army.”

    Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif congratulated Dr. Roberts, stating that she had proved that women are not behind men in any field, the entire nation including the Christian community is proud of Brigadier Helen Mary Roberts.

  • Two public holidays around the corner in Sindh

    Two public holidays around the corner in Sindh

    The Sindh government has announced two public holidays in the coming month. One is on April 1 and the second is on April 4.

    The Sindh government has declared April 1st as a public holiday for members of the Christian community for the “Day After Easter” for all public and private offices, autonomous bodies, semi-autonomous bodies, and corporations under the administrative control of the provincial government.

    Additionally, the Sindh government on Thursday announced a public holiday on April 4 on the occasion of the death anniversary of former prime minister and late Pakistan Peoples Party founder (PPP) founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

    In a notification, the provincial authorities said: “The Government of Sindh has been pleased to declare 4th April, 2024 (Thursday) as Public Holiday on the occasion of 45th Martyrdom anniversary of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Ex-Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan throughout the Province of Sindh.”

    This is applicable for all government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils under the administrative control of the provincial government except those engaged in essential services will remain closed.

  • Punjab’s first Sikh minister, Ramesh Singh Arora, takes oath

    Punjab’s first Sikh minister, Ramesh Singh Arora, takes oath

    After Maryam Nawaz became the first female chief minister of Punjab and the first female chief executive of a province in the country, history was made yet again with the inclusion of the first Sikh minister in the provincial cabinet.

    Ramesh Singh Arora, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), took oath to become a minister in the provincial cabinet. The Sikh politician has returned to the provincial assembly for the third term, this time with the portfolio of a minister.

    Arora, who hails from Narowal, has been allotted the minorities portfolio. He was also the first-ever Sikh lawmaker of Punjab, taking oath as a member of the provincial assembly in 2013.
    Meanwhile, the provincial cabinet has appointed Khalil Tahir Sindhu, a member of the christian community from Punjab, to serve alongside Arora. Sindhu will handle the human rights portfolio.
    Since 1970, various political parties or alliances, such as the PML-N, Pakistan Peoples Party, Islami Jamhoori Ittehad, Pakistan Muslim League Quaid, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have formed governments. However, the PML-N stands out as the only party to bring the first Sikh MPA to the house and include him in the cabinet.

  • Verified organisations helping Jaranwala Christians: here is where to send your money

    On August 16, a large mob of Muslims attacked the Christian community residing in Jaranwala. The violence erupted after two Christians were accused of committing blasphemy, alleging that the holy Quran had been desecrated.

    The mob, armed with batons and sticks, congregated after clerics in mosques incited violence. According to Christian leader Akmal Bhatti, at least five churches were set ablaze including the Salvation Army Church and the Saint Paul Catholic Church. Copies of Bible were also descrated. The crowd also attacked and looted private homes which residents had escaped from to protect their lives.

    So far, the police have arrested two men who have been accused of inciting violence on August 16. Moreover, the Punjab interim government has ordered a high-level investigation into the incident. Resultantly, over 100 people have been arrested.

    But while the Christian community awaits justice, they are left out in the open without food and shelter. Following the incident, they have spent nights sleeping in fields and roadsides.

    Here is how you can help:

    An instagram page, Reformistan, has shared sources that are collecting funds in order to provide the people of Jaranwala with emergency aid.

    You can directly donate to the Christian community members working to rehabilitate those in need:

    Raja Sharoon Lewis — Jazz
    Cash Account: 03084269400

    Zonobia Bhatti — Askari Bank
    Account Number: 00630210143074

    Raja Sharoon Lewis — Muslim Commercial Bank Account
    Number: 1228017681000588

    Actavia Farhat (Owner of Actavia Orphan Foundation) — Meezan Bank
    Account Number: 02930104441837

    For donations from outside of Paksitan:

    Zonobia Bhatti — Askari Bank
    Account Number: 0630210143074
    IBAN: PK34ASCM0000630210143074
    Swift Code: ASCMPkKA

    Raja Sharoon Lewis — Western Union
    Account Number: 35404-2962653-7

    Be The Change (Pakistan) is raising money for the Jaranwala Christian community to help them rebuild their homes and churches:

    Bano
    Number: +923004004952

    Aalia
    Number: +923174319994

    You can also donate to The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation — MCB

    Account Number: 0000000013138796

  • ‘Not Jinnah’s Pakistan’: Celebrities protest against Jaranwala riots

    ‘Not Jinnah’s Pakistan’: Celebrities protest against Jaranwala riots

    The Jaranwala attacks have shocked the entire nation after the town’s Christian community came under siege on Wednesday by a violent mob. Speaking to The Current, a local resident said violence broke out after a Christian father tried preventing a group of boys from harassing his daughter.

    “This is a case of harassment. A girl from the Christian community was being teased by some members of the Muslim community and when her father and brother tried to stop them, allegations of blasphemy were raised.”

    READ MORE: Mobs burn churches in Jaranwala after alleged blasphemy incident

    Since the incident went viral on social media, politicians including Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar ul Haq Kakar have come forward to condemn the riots. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) the Premier said that strict action would be taken against those who violate the law and target minorities.

    Celebrities in Pakistan like activist and singer Shehzad Roy have taken to social media to condemn the incident and called for justice for the Christian community residing in Jaranwala.

    “If the state does not arrest each and every person involved in it through video footage and make an example, then we are doomed,” tweeted the ‘Laga Re’ singer.

    ‘Kuch Ankahi’ actress Sajal Aly called the violent attack ‘shameful’ and tweeted that there is no place for violence in religion.

    Actress Azekah Daniel slammed the incident as ‘not Jinnah’s Pakistan’ and asked why do people not show the same respect to a church that they demand for a mosque. She also called on mainstream media organisations and journalists of Pakistan to report against the growing ethnic violence against Christians in Pakistan.

    “This is NOT Jinnah’s Pakistan! I strongly condemn this atrocity against the Christian community. Why can’t show some respect for Holy places be it a Church or a Mosque? I stand against these atrocities and unjust acts of violence! I DEMAND JUSTICE FOR ALL”

    “Today we are witnessing the beginning of ethnic cleansing in Pakistan. Pakistani Christians are being persecuted,Church burnt down & the whole colony ablazed,will you raise your voice for us?”

  • Caretaker Prime Minister condemns attack on Christian Community in Jaranwala

    Caretaker Prime Minister condemns attack on Christian Community in Jaranwala

    On Wednesday morning, Jaranwala, Faisalabad, became the site of communal violence as multiple churches were burnt amid allegations of blasphemy against two Christian community members. Mobs attacked churches and residential houses along with office of the assistant commissioner of Jaranwala. As yet, Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church, and Shehroonwala Church situated in the Isa Nagri area along with multiple houses have been burnt. Christian colonies all around the city have been evacuated, while the Lahore-Multan motorway was also blocked by protestors amid a complete shutter down in the city.

    Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has asked all law enforcement to apprehend the culprits & bring them to justice and given assurances that stern action will be taken against those who violate law and target minorities.

    Politicians from different political parties of Pakistan have raised their concerns, condemned the incident, and shown solidarity with the Christian community of Pakistan.

    Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the incident while saying that government should take action against the culprits.

    Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urged the administration to ensure the safety of the Christian community and their churches.

    The Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, said, “We call for restoring calm & order.”

    Senator Sarfraz Bugti tweeted, “Punjab Govermnet should enforce its full might to protect the Christian churches and homes.”

    Former Interior Minister of Pakistan and President of PMLN Punjab, Rana Sanaullah said, “The culprits must be brought to justice at the earliest, and the law should take its due course.”

    Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, tweeted that there is no space in Islam for violence.

    Politician and activist Ammar Ali Jan stated that the police is helpless in front of bigots.